My LLMD has me on Flagyl for only two days out of a three week cycle (he does pulsing). I've been on it for a couple of months.
I do think it's helping - when I started it a couple months ago, I definitely had a herx at first and then had some improvement.
But I'm wondering why I'm only on it for two days and not more? Has anyone heard of a similar dosing schedule or have an opinion on whether this will be enough?
Prior to starting Flagyl, I took a variety of other meds for a year (mostly pulsed), but Flagyl was my first cyst buster, unless you count Diflucan. So I would think I had a chance for cysts to form?
And currently, in addition to Flagyl, I'm on Mino, Art, Cefdinir, Diflucan, Bactrim, Folinic Acid, and about to start Pyrimethamine, as well as a lot of supplements and vitamins.
thank you for your help!
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
My LLMD has me pulse Flagyl two consecutives days each week until I build up to the maximum prescribed dose.
He said Flagyl tampers with the B vitamins and people herx badly on Flagyl.
I'm doing pretty well and almost to the maximum dose. I've made some pretty good progress on it over the last few months.
Posted by Dawn in VA (Member # 9693) on :
I *just* learned this from my LLMD- said if you're a woman and are pulsing flagyl, it's wise to pulse it just b/f you menstruate. So that you're removing some of the toxins via that blood; there was more to the explanation, but that's the main gist.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
It sounds like your doctor does not follow the Burrascano protocol. Sounds like your doc is in D.C. There is a doc there that is big on pulsing.
Burrascano doesn't pulse meds as a general rule, and he has said at recent conferences that you have to take flagyl for at least 14 days in a row.
So, you have to talk to folks who got cured by your doctor and see if his methods worked for them.
I don't believe I know anybody who was cured by your doc, if it is who I think it is.
If you want to know the good docs in the area who follow Burrascano's protocol, let me know.
Posted by gigimac (Member # 33353) on :
TF, When you say that you need to take flagyl for 14 days in a row, do you mean to kill cysts off or to treat lyme in general?
My doc wants me to pulse flagyl now two days a week but I have been on mono therapy for so long I want to take flagyl longer and will be speaking to my doc about it.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Here is the note that was taken of Burrascano's talk in 2010:
"◦Flagyl must be taken for 14-30 days minimum to have any impact on Borrelia"
And, here is the website where the notes are located:
TF - Nope, my doctor is not in DC but I do know who you are talking about and my doc follows parts of his protocol.
Thank you so much for the info about taking Flagyl for 14-30 days; I'm glad to know that and I will ask about that at my next appointment. It's possible that my doc has that in mind and is working me up to it. I hope so because my gut says that two days is not enough.
Posted by surprise (Member # 34987) on :
My LLMD also says 2 weeks on/ 2 weeks off, but Tindamax
(which I love now) but said build up to it- just take the same days off as I did on.
By the 3rd time, I was able to do the full 2weeks on.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
just read all the notes from the better health guy link you posted - lots of great stuff in there - thanks again!
Posted by Jamers (Member # 28016) on :
WPinVA-Do you see Dr. P in NC?? This is my LLMD and this sounds like what I've been doing.
Honestly, I do not like the pulsing especially for coinfections. I pulsed 3 months for Babs and did not notice any improvement until I began taking Mepron daily again. The longest I've taken Flagyl was also 2 days. I was pulsing it 2 days every week.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
I take flagyl two weeks on and two weeks off. I can't imagine doing it longer than 14 days in a row. I notice the difference when on it.
My LLMD said that most couldn't tolerate it longer than 14 days and it is herx hell those two weeks. If she told me to take it for longer, I would do it. I am finally getting better after being with this LLMD since the end of January.
Posted by gmb (Member # 23562) on :
Met LLNP last night and I will start TindaMax once a week next week. If all goes OK I'm told to increase and take it two consecutive days till my next appointment in December
This will be on top of IV Rocephin, Mepron double dose, Zith, Bactrim DS, Actigol, Gabapentin, and my list of supplements and probiotics.
I haven't had a real hard Lyme Herx since starting treatment in March 2010. Babs has been my biggest foe when changing protocols.
So I guess pulsing in this manner is the low and slow route for cyst busting.
Time will tell.
gmb
Posted by fatherguido (Member # 25266) on :
My LLMD says it is too hard on the liver if taken continuously. I just started it myself.
-Guido
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
Jamers, nope, don't see Dr. P. My LLMD is in VA.
thanks, everyone for all the replies!
I also reread part of Burrascano's guidelines again and he does mention pulsing for difficult cases. I think it was on page 20 or 21.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Burrascano only recommends pulsing for patients on IV ceftriaxone (pages 14 & 16). The reason for this is to protect the gallbladder (prevents bilary sludging) and it is easier on the patient (less C. diff). A higher dose of the med is used since it will only be given 4 days out of 7.
Burrascano does not recommend pulsing oral medications. Just look at his "Antibiotics Choices and Doses" starting on page 18 and you will see. The only exception is for vancomycin since it is so toxic. See page 19.
Do a search on "pulse" and you will see it is only mentioned for that one particular IV med and for vanco.
He then summarizes all of this again on page 21 under the heading "Pulse Therapy."
So, I don't think you can find Burrascano advocating pulsing flagyl anywhere.